Video: Order of the Pug: a 17th century secret society where everyone barked at each other
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
When it comes to secret societies, the imagination immediately draws a candlelit meeting shrouded in an aura of mystery, and people in long capes and masks. However, earlier, not only ancient signs, but also completely harmless animals served as symbols of such orders. So, in the 18th century, it was incredibly popular to join Order of the Pug … At the meetings, the ruling elite wore collars and barked.
Freemasons appeared in England in the 17th century, and representatives of all religions could join the ranks of the order. In 1738, Pope Clemens XII issued a bull in which he forbade Catholics from membership in the Masonic lodge on pain of excommunication. Those wishing to join the Masons did not decrease, only their meetings became secret. Plus, in different countries, Freemasons renamed lodges in order to hide their activities.
One such society, of which there were aristocrats, called itself the "Order of the Pug" (Mopsorden). Presumably this lodge was founded by the Bavarian duke Clemens August in 1740. Initially, it included Catholics, and then Protestants. Women were also allowed to become members of the order.
In the 18th century, pugsomania swept across Europe. Every self-respecting aristocrat should have a pug. Therefore, it is not surprising that the face of this little dog was chosen as the emblem of the order. It was believed that this breed of dog is distinguished by loyalty and reliability.
The initiation ritual looked pretty funny. New members of the society had to, wearing dog collars, scratch at the door, wanting to enter. After they were allowed in, they were blindfolded and led around a carpet with a picture of a pug. The ceremony was accompanied by an unimaginable noise, all members of the society barked loudly, testing the strength of the new convert. In conclusion, the newcomers needed to kiss the pug's tail on the porcelain figurine, thereby demonstrating their complete devotion to the order.
Senior members of the order were required to wear silver medallions with the image of a dog under their clothes. They called each other "pugs" (Möpse). Also, members of the order, and then everyone else, gladly purchased porcelain and jewelry in the form of pugs for themselves.
In 1748, 8 years after the foundation of the order, it was outlawed. However, some researchers believe that the Order of the Pugs lasted until 1907.
Another secret society was Illuminati who preached the idea of enlightenment. Some people still believe that modern rulers and those in power all over the world are members of the same order.
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